Chocolate Producer Takes Aim at Obesity in Older Adults in New Study

If you ask most people which companies are qualified to solve the problem of obesity in older adults, Nestle would probably not be at the top of the list. After all, Nestle is the company behind such iconic chocolate brands as Kit Kat, Butterfinger, Aero and Crunch.

In fairness, Nestle is a big company with a range of products, including many healthy options. But, the question remains, when it comes to weight-loss, do they have anything important to say?

Let’s look at the facts.

New Study Takes Aim at Obesity in Older Adults

One of the most frustrating things about going on a diet is that fat loss and muscle loss often go hand in hand. Previous studies show that the more severe the calorie restriction, the more muscle weight we risk losing.

So scientists and the Nestle Research Center set out investigate what steps, if any, we can take to limit muscle loss, while we are trying to lose weight.

In the study, two groups of men in their 60s were put on a low-calorie, high-protein diets. They were also asked to take part in a resistance exercise program.

One of the groups received the majority of their protein intake with their evening meal, as is popular with many diet plans, while the other received smaller protein doses throughout the day.

The researchers found that the group that received protein throughout the day were less likely to lose muscle mass than the other group.

There Are No Silver Bullets for Silver Dieters

As this study implies, losing weight is not just a matter of how much you eat. What you eat and when you eat also matters.

If we are honest with ourselves, we all know that the “secret” to losing weight is to move more and eat healthier. This means giving our bodies the balanced nutrition that it needs throughout the day – not just relying on simple solutions, like evening meal replacement, to do our work for us.

Eating fewer Butterfingers probably won’t hurt either. Sorry, Nestle.

Are you currently trying to lose weight? What steps are you taking to live a healthier life in your 50s or 60s? Please join the conversation.

Disclaimer: please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or starting an exercise program.

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Margaret Manning is the founder of Sixty and Me. She is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. Margaret is passionate about building dynamic and engaged communities that improve lives and change perceptions. Margaret can be contacted at margaret@sixtyandme.com

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